“Thank you, Secretary Vilsack. And
thank you all for joining us and welcoming us this morning. It's
fitting that we've gathered here in the “Centennial State,”
because, as much as today's discussion is about cattle, hog, and
other livestock industry issues, it is also about our nation's
founding ideals of fairness and equal opportunity. And, above all,
it's about better understanding and addressing the challenges you
face.

For some of you, these
challenges have never felt more urgent or more difficult to overcome.
I realize this. So does Secretary Vilsack. And so does the
President. Our nation is now the world's largest producer of beef
and third-largest producer of pork and pork products. And here in
Colorado, the livestock industry is an economic anchor. We know that
your communities and counties are, in large part, “ag-dependent.”
In this state alone, more than 100,000 jobs rely on the agriculture
and food industries. And more than four in five farms and ranches
are family- or individually owned. We also know that, although beef
exports have been rising since the early ‘90's, too many farmers
and ranchers are fighting tooth-and-nail to make a living. This is a
serious issue. And it's a problem we can only solve by coming
together - to listen, to learn, to share, and to seek out
solutions.

That's why we're here
today. The discussion we've gathered to begin reflects an historic
partnership between the Department of Justice, the Department of
Agriculture, and leaders from across our nation's agriculture
industry. It's a partnership forged, not only so we can better
understand the conditions that you face every day, though that's a
first and crucial part of this effort, but also - and most
important - so we can act.

As Secretary Vilsack mentioned,
we kicked off this workshop series nearly six months ago and, so far,
have explored competition issues in the seed, pork, poultry, and
dairy industries. Today, of course, we're here in Fort Collins to
learn about the competition and regulatory issues facing cattle, hog,
and other livestock industry sectors. And we've made these
workshops a Cabinet-level priority so that we can most effectively
and efficiently determine how to ensure a fairer, more competitive
marketplace for all of you.

We already know that - for
many producers - consolidation in the meatpacking industry is a top
concern. And I want you all to know that the Justice Department is
committed to fulfilling its responsibility to take appropriate
enforcement action when a merger or other activity threatens to erode
competition. For example, when JBS proposed to acquire the National
Beef Packing Company, the Justice Department challenged the
transaction on the grounds that it would have reduced competition
among packers in the sale of boxed beef and for the purchase of feed
cattle. As a result of that lawsuit, the parties abandoned the
transaction last year. This was an important step - but we realize
that it was only a small step. We would like to hear any lingering
concerns. We would like to know what more we can do.

We're also eager to discuss
the fact that, today, many producers and consumers are unsure whether
they are getting a fair shake. Farmers have noticed discrepancies
between prices at the grocery store and prices paid to producers for
their livestock or crops. Secretary Vilsack and I are devoting our
next workshop to this very issue in December, but we are eager to air
out these concerns today, as well.

We realize that many of you are
concerned more generally about market concentration. Let me assure
each of you that administration leaders - across and beyond USDA
and DOJ - understand that having a fair and competitive
agricultural marketplace is critical for producers and consumers
alike. At the Justice Department, vigorously - and appropriately -
enforcing our antitrust laws is an essential part of our core
mission. Today, it's also a top priority.

That said, none of us believes
that antitrust enforcement is the solution to every problem. But it
is a solution, and it is part of our larger, government-wide
commitment to championing the pro-consumer principles that will
promote competition in the agricultural sector. It is with these
principles in mind that Secretary Vilsack and I are eager to begin
today's discussion. Whether you're here to share your concerns
over concentration or consolidation, pricing or the Packers and
Stockyards Act, we are here to listen. Not only do we welcome your
insights and recommendations - we're relying on them.

If past is prologue, your
suggestions will be many, and they will be valuable. After our call
for your ideas last year, we received thousands of comments.
Already, your input has been critical in guiding and focusing our
work. That tremendous response only represents a fraction of the
potential that I know still exists for building on this extraordinary
example of government-public engagement at its best.

Ultimately, our conversation is
about much more than simply last year's trends or this year's
challenges. It is about your livelihoods, your families, this
region's economy, and our centuries-old American way of life. It
is about our nation.

Your participation this morning
gives me great hope about what we can - and will - accomplish
together in the days and weeks ahead. Secretary Vilsack and I look
forward to hearing from, and working with, all of you.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Governor Martin O’Malley a Democratic candidate for President in 2016. In this interview you’ll hear his views on renewable fuel policy, environmental stewardship, global trade and why he believes leading a state like Maryland uniquely qualifies his bid for the Oval Office.